FROM INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Indiana students made slow but steady gains on the English language arts section of the state’s I-LEARN test this year, but they still struggle with math. The Indiana Department of Education released this year’s scores on Wednesday.
The I-LEARN test measures students’ progress in multiple subjects from third to eighth grade.
Overall, 41 percent of students scored proficient in English language arts this year and 40-point-seven percent achieved proficiency in math. The current pass rates for both sections remain lower than they were before the pandemic.
Katie Jenner is the Indiana Secretary of Education. She says it’s important to look at I-LEARN scores over time. But that’s difficult because the test debuted in 2019 — right before the pandemic.
Still, Jenner says I-LEARN is an important tool to prepare students for what’s ahead.
“We have to ensure that our students have the foundations in reading and math, and it is urgent, to be ready for the opportunities and options we’re trying to develop at the high school level.”
Progress in these two sections is varied across demographic groups.
Black students — who make up more than 12 percent of I-LEARN test-takers — saw gains in both English language arts and math scores this year. Latino students — who make up more than 14 percent of this year’s test takers — saw losses in both areas.
The I-D-O-E is in the process of changing the I-LEARN to add learning checkpoints throughout the year before a smaller final test.
Schools can opt-in to the new I-LEARN model for the 2024-25 school year. It will be fully implemented statewide during the 2025-26 school year.